System and method for automated laboratory inventory management using rfid technology

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, a computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for graphically developing a connectivity driver is provided. The computer readable memory medium is a non-transitory medium. The program instructions are executable by a processor to generate a purchase order for a laboratory item, transmit the purchase order to a remote computer in order to communicate the purchase order to a vendor, receive an advance shipping notice generated in response to the purchase order, receive item information stored in an RFID tag of a tagged item received at the delivery location, and check the item information against the advance shipping notice in order to verify that the tagged item is the same as the ordered laboratory item. The purchase order specifies a delivery location.

BACKGROUND

Managing inventory in a laboratory, such as a diagnostic laboratory, aforensics laboratory, a clinical laboratory, or a blood bank is often atime consuming activity that requires several laborious manual steps.Diagnostics laboratories having instruments which perform any kind ofmedical test used to aid in the diagnosis or detection of disease.Forensics laboratories use instruments which apply a broad spectrum ofsciences to perform tests used to answer questions of interest to alegal system. Blood banks also have instruments which may performvarious tests on blood samples. The activities for managing inventory ina laboratory cover a multiplicity of actions ranging from receipt ofmaterials to stocking to retrieving to reordering product.

Typically, when a product shipment contained in a shipping cartonarrives at a laboratory, the shipping carton is opened and items withinthe shipping carton are removed and physically reconciled against ashipping invoice or a packing list. In addition, some form of laboratoryinventory management may require updating to enable laboratory personnelto monitor a lifecycle of an item previously contained within theshipping carton and currently used within the laboratory. Thelaboratory's inventory management process may consist of a simplehandwritten list, an Excel spreadsheet or even a computer applicationthat utilizes an item identifying mark, such as a serial number orbarcode, associated with each item to monitor inventory. Even when usinga computer application along with item barcodes to provide for alaboratory's inventory management, laboratory personnel are often stillrequired to manually enter additional data (e.g., expiration dates, lotnumbers, etc.) into the computer application, to print supplementarybarcode labels, and to apply the supplementary barcode labels to theitems.

Organizing and monitoring stock locations for the numerous itemsreceived by and utilized within a laboratory is often a challenge initself, regardless of the process or system that is utilized. The actualinventory management and product reordering process may also bepartially automated by utilizing various software applications.Nevertheless, several elements may still require human interaction,which may not only be tedious by nature, but could be wrought witherror.

Additionally, throughout the course of normal usage of an item,laboratory personnel typically follow a “checking out” process wheneveran item is used or discarded. The checking out process may beproblematic for some labs as the process often involves considerablehuman interaction. Some of the human interaction may be prone to humanerror, and other human interaction might not be followed exactly asrequired by the laboratory personnel, both of which can affect theaccuracy of inventory levels within the laboratory. In order toreconcile any discrepant inventory levels, the laboratory may need toperform a labor-intensive demand or physical inventory, multiple timesthroughout the year.

Another shortcoming of current laboratory inventory management processesis that visibility into a supply chain is often restricted to just thelaboratory. The amount of information being communicated between the enduser and the supplier is usually limited to: purchase orders sent overthe phone, through email or by fax; a shipping list that arrives withthe product; and an invoice.

Furthermore, many laboratories utilize a Laboratory InformationManagement System or Laboratory Integration Management Solution (LIMS)software system which often is not integrated with or compatible withthe computer application utilized in assisting with the laboratory'sinventory management process. A LIMS is a software system used inlaboratories for the integration of laboratory software and instrumentsand the management of samples, laboratory users, standards and otherlaboratory functions such as Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control(QC), sample planning, invoicing, plate management, and workflowautomation. LIMS implementations may also support information gathering,decision making, calculation, review and release into the workplace andaway from the office. More recently, LIMS products are starting toexpand into Electronic Laboratory Notebooks, assay data management, datamining and data analysis.

Modern LIMS have implemented extensive configurability as eachlaboratory's needs for tracking additional data points can vary widely.LIMS vendors often cannot make assumptions about what these datatracking needs are and therefore need to be adaptable to eachenvironment. LIMS users may also have regulatory concerns to comply withsuch as CLIA, HIPAA, GLP and FDA specifications and this can affectcertain aspects of sample management in a LIMS solution. One key tocompliance with many of these standards is audit logging of all changesto LIMS data, and in some cases a full electronic signature system isrequired for rigorous tracking of field level changes to LIMS data.

It would be desirable to provide a simplified method for automatedinventory management within a laboratory which reduces the amount ofhuman interaction required to manage and track the inventory of itemswithin a laboratory. It would also be desirable to provide a LIMSsoftware which has an integrated laboratory inventory managementapplication.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method for automated laboratory inventory management isprovided. The method includes, but is not limited to receiving on alocal computer a product catalogue from a remote computer detailing alaboratory item and generating a purchase order for the laboratory itemusing the local computer. The purchase order specifies a deliverylocation. The method also includes, but is not limited to, transmittingthe purchase order to the remote computer in order to communicate thepurchase order to a vendor, receiving on the local computer an advanceshipping notice generated in response to the purchase order, receiving atagged item at a laboratory associated with the delivery location, andpassing the tagged item through a receiving portal located at anentryway of the laboratory. The tagged item includes an RFID tag. Thereceiving portal retrieves item information stored in the RFID tag. Themethod also includes, but is not limited to, transmitting the iteminformation to the local computer and checking the item informationagainst the advance shipping notice in order to verify that the taggeditem is the same as the ordered laboratory item.

In one aspect, a computer readable memory medium comprising programinstructions for graphically developing a connectivity driver isprovided. The computer readable memory medium is a non-transitorymedium. The program instructions are executable by a processor togenerate a purchase order for a laboratory item, transmit the purchaseorder to a remote computer in order to communicate the purchase order toa vendor, receive an advance shipping notice generated in response tothe purchase order, receive item information stored in an RFID tag of atagged item received at the delivery location, and check the iteminformation against the advance shipping notice in order to verify thatthe tagged item is the same as the ordered laboratory item. The purchaseorder specifies a delivery location.

In one aspect, a laboratory information management system for managementof samples, laboratory users, standards and other laboratory functions,is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a computerreadable memory medium and at least one processor operable to accessfrom the computer readable memory medium program instructions. Thecomputer readable memory medium program instructions are executable bythe processor to monitor an inventory database in order to determine howmany laboratory items of a particular kind are in a laboratory, generatea purchase requisition when an amount of laboratory items of aparticular kind drops below a predetermined level in order to notifylaboratory personnel that a purchase order needs to be generated formore laboratory items of a particular kind, generate a purchase orderfor more laboratory items of a particular kind, transmit the purchaseorder to a remote computer in order to communicate the purchase order toa vendor, and receive an advance shipping notice generated in responseto the purchase order. At least some of the laboratory items of aparticular kind are tagged laboratory items having an RFID tag. Thecomputer readable memory medium program instructions are also executableby the processor to receive item information stored in an RFID tag of atagged item received at the delivery location and check the iteminformation against the advance shipping notice in order to verify thatthe tagged item is the same as the ordered laboratory item.

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appendedclaims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a block schematic diagram of an exemplary computingsystem, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a block schematic diagram of a system for automatedinventory management of items within a site, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a site for storing items, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a top schematic view of a site for storing items, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a tagged shipping carton having an item, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (systems)and computer program products, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention makes use of the discovery that by providing auser with an automated laboratory inventory management system that canassist to generate shipping orders, track items from the time ofshipment to the time of arrival within a laboratory and through the timeof disposal within a laboratory, and automatically enter informationabout the item in a database for later use and for inventory management,the amount of human interaction required to manage the inventory ofitems within a laboratory may be reduced. Additionally, by integrating alaboratory inventory management application within a LIMS software, LIMSinformation internal to the LIMS software may be shared with inventoryinformation internal to the laboratory inventory management applicationin order to further reduce the amount of human interaction required tomanage and track the inventory of items within a laboratory.

In the description that follows, the subject matter of the applicationwill be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations ofoperations that are performed by one or more computers, unless indicatedotherwise. As such, it will be understood that such acts and operations,which are at times referred to as being computer-executed, include themanipulation by the processing unit of the computer of electricalsignals representing data in a structured form. This manipulationtransforms the data or maintains it at locations in the memory system ofthe computer which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of thecomputer in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. Thedata structures where data is maintained are physical locations of thememory that have particular properties defined by the format of thedata. However, although the subject matter of the application is beingdescribed in the foregoing context, it is not meant to be limiting asthose skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the acts andoperations described hereinafter can also be implemented in hardware,software, and/or firmware and/or some combination thereof.

With reference to FIG. 1, depicted is an exemplary computing system forimplementing embodiments. FIG. 1 includes computer 100 running acomputer program 150. Computer 100 is a programmable machine designed tosequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic orlogical operations. Computer 100 may be portable or handheld, such aswith a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, or any a portableelectronic device. Computer 100 may be local, that is, at the samelocation, site, or building as, or within reach of, a particular user,and therefore is known as a local computer 184, as shown in FIG. 1.Computer 100 may also be remote, that is, not at the same location,site, or building as, or not within reach of, a particular user. If thecomputer 100 is remote, such as with a remote computer 182, the computer100 may be accessed via a computer 100 which is local, such as the localcomputer 184.

In order to carry out these operations, the computer 100 includes aprocessor 110 in communication with a computer readable memory medium120. Computer readable memory medium 120 is any medium which can be usedto store information which can later be accessed by processor 110.Computer readable memory medium 120 includes computer memory 125 anddata storage devices 130. Computer memory 125 is preferably afast-access memory and is used to run program instructions executable bythe processor 110. Computer memory 125 includes random access memory(RAM) 126, flash memory, and read only memory (ROM) 127.

Data storage devices 130 and their associated computer readable memorymedium provide storage of computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules and other data for the computer 100. Datastorage devices 130 include magnetic medium like a floppy disk 132 whichare read by a floppy disk drive 133, a hard disk drive 134, and magnetictape; optical medium 136 like a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk(DVD), and a Blu-ray Disc which are read by an optical disk drive 137;and solid state memory such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory,and read only memory (ROM).

Data storage devices 130 are preferably physical devices and are used tostore any information or program which may be accessed by the processor110, such as an operating system 140, a computer program 150, a programmodule 160 which may runs as a part of computer program 150, and programdata 180. Any computer program 150 may be a standalone application or aprogram module 160 which runs as part of a computer program 150.

Computer program 150 may include specific types of computer programs orapplications such as a LIMS software application 151, a laboratoryinformation system (LIS) software application 152, or a laboratoryinventory management application 153. The LIMS software 151 is asoftware system used in laboratories for the integration of laboratorysoftware and instruments and the management of samples, laboratoryusers, standards and other laboratory functions such as QualityAssurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC), sample planning, invoicing,plate management, inventory management, and workflow automation. The LISsoftware application 152 is a class of software that receives,processes, and stores information generated by medical laboratoryprocesses. The LIS software application 152 often must interface withinstruments and other information systems such as hospital informationsystems (HIS). The LIS software application 152 is a highly configurableapplication which is customized to facilitate a wide variety oflaboratory workflow models. The laboratory inventory managementapplication 153 is a piece of software that helps to manage and trackthe inventory of items within a laboratory.

Computer 100 further includes input devices 190 through which data mayenter the computer 100, either automatically or by a user who enterscommands and data. Input devices 190 can include: an electronicdigitizer or drawing board; a barcode reader, an RFID reader, a debitcard reader, or any near-field communication (NFC) reader; a microphone186; an image capture device such as a camera, a video camera, or adigital flatbed or sheet-fed scanner; a keyboard 187, a numeric pin pad,any device which has a series of depressible keys; a pointing device188, such as a mouse, a trackball or a touch pad; any USB device, anyBluetooth™ enabled device, or any networked device able to generate andtransmit a signal. Other input devices 190 may include a joystick, gamepad, satellite dish, an instrument, a sensor, and the like. In one ormore embodiments, input devices 190 are any devices that can directdisplay or instantiation of computer programs 150 running on processor110 and computer 100.

These and other input devices 190 can be connected to processor 110through a user input interface that is coupled to a system bus 192, butmay be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as aparallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). Computer 100may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers 166,printers 164, and/or display devices 162, which may be connected to theprocessor 110 through an output peripheral interface 194 that is coupledto the system bus 192, but may be connected by other interface and busstructures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus(USB).

Computer 100 may include a radio 198 or other type of communicationsdevice for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data for the computer100 with the aid of an antenna. Radio 198 may wirelessly transmit andreceive data using WiMAX™, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth™, 2G, 2.5G, 3G, and4G, wireless standards. Radio 198 may be connected to the processor 110through an interface that is coupled to a system bus 192, but may beconnected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallelport, game port or a universal serial bus (USB).

Computer 100 may include a network interface device 196 for connectingthe computer 100 to a network 195. The network interface device 196 usesa common protocol allowing computer 100 to communicate with other remotecomputers 182 which are all connected to the network 195. The networkinterface device includes a network adapter, such as a wireless networkadapter or a wired network adapter; a modem; or any device which caninterface with a network 195. The network interface device 196 may beconnected to the processor 110 through a network interface that iscoupled to a system bus 192, but may be connected by other interface andbus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serialbus (USB).

The network 195 allows the computer 100 to operate in a networkedenvironment having logical connections between computer 100 and one ormore remote computers 182. The remote computer 182 may be a personalcomputer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or othercommon network node, and may include many if not all of the elementsdescribed above relative to computer 100. Networking environments arecommonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets andthe Internet. For example, in the subject matter of the presentapplication, computer 100 may comprise the source machine from whichdata is being migrated, and the remote computer 182 may comprise thedestination machine. Note, however, that source and destination machinesneed not be connected by a network 195 or any other means, but instead,data may be migrated via any media capable of being written by thesource platform and read by the destination platform or platforms. Whenusing a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)networking environment, network 195 connects the computer 100 with theremote computer 182 via a network adapter. When used in a Wide AreaNetwork (WAN) networking environment, computer 100 may include a modemor other means for establishing communications over the WAN, such asradio 198, to another remote computer 182. It will be appreciated thatother means of establishing a communications link between computer 100and other remote computers 182 may be used.

In one embodiment, computer 100 is in communication with remote computer182, and portions of the computer program 150 are run on the remotecomputer 182 and/or the computer 100. In this embodiment, the computerprogram 150 receives commands and information from the computer 100being input via user input device 190. Information received from thecomputer 100 may then be relayed to the remote computer 182.Additionally information generated by the computer program 150 runningon the remote computer 182 and/or the computer 100 may be displayed onthe display 162 connected with the computer 100.

With reference to FIG. 2, a system 300 is provided for automatedinventory management of items 204 within a site 209. Items 204 includeany item which may need to be ordered or re-ordered within a site 209.Items 204 preferably include medical items such as laboratory items andhospital items. Laboratory items are items 204 which are found in alaboratory such as: consumables including reagents, assays, calibrators,and controls; laboratory instrument parts and supplies such asreplacement kits, spare parts, and peripheral devices. Medical items mayinclude items 204 which are found in a hospital, a clinic, or a medicallaboratory, such as pharmaceuticals, instruments, instrument parts,health products such as baby food, nutritional supplements ointments,and home remedy or diagnostic devices. Site 209 includes any facility inwhich items 204 are needed, such as a hospital, a laboratory 210, and aclinic. Laboratory 210 includes any facility that provides controlledconditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurementmay be performed, preferably by laboratory instruments 270. Laboratory210 includes facilities such as hematology labs, hospital laboratories,chemical laboratories, biological laboratories, analytical laboratories,blood banks, and a medical or clinical laboratory which deals with andprocesses samples or specimens. Site 209 maintains computer 100, such aslocal computer 184, which runs computer program 150. The local computer184 is located near or on the site 209 and accessible by laboratorypersonnel 206.

If a particular item 204, such as a certain type of chemical assay, isneeded the item 204 is ordered by generating a purchase order 236. Thepurchase order 236 may be automatically generated by the computerprogram 150 or manually generated by the laboratory personnel 206,preferably upon receiving notice from the computer program 150 than anamount of item 204 is below a predetermined number. Preferably, beforethe item 204 is ordered, a product catalogue 234 is received from aremote computer 182 at a vender's warehouse 208 detailing the item 204.The product catalogue 234 provides details about the item 204, such as adescription of the item 204, a price of the item 204, a name of the item204, a model number or part number for the item 204, and other suchinformation. The product catalogue 234 may be transmitted digitally tothe computer program 150 on local computer 184 from remote computer 182.Upon receiving the product catalogue 234, the computer program 150 mayaccess the product catalogue 234 or display the contents of the productcatalogue 234 on a display connected with the computer 100. Uponreceiving the product catalogue 234, the laboratory personnel 206 maythen search through the catalogue 234 to find and retrieve details aboutthe item 204. In one embodiment, the computer program 150 automaticallysearches through the product catalogue 234 to find and retrieve detailsabout the item 204.

Upon finding and retrieving details about the item 204, a purchase order236 is generated by the laboratory personnel 206 or the computer program150 for the item 204, preferably using the details found in the productcatalogue 234. Preferably, the purchase order 236 specifies the modelnumber of the item 204, the quantity of item 204 to be delivered, and adelivery location at which the item 204 is to be delivered from thevender's warehouse 208. The purchase order 236 may also specify adesired delivery date, desired lots, discount codes or contract prices,buyer information, and preferred shipping methods. Upon generating thepurchase order 236, the purchase order 236 is then approved, eithermanually by the laboratory personnel 206 or automatically by thecomputer program 150.

In one embodiment, as site 209 uses items 204, the inventory of the item204 is tracked, preferably by laboratory personnel 206 in combinationwith the computer program 150. Preferably, the inventory of all items204 is tracked and accessed by computer program 150. For example, thelaboratory personnel 206 may use active bar code or radio frequencyidentification (RFID) readers 260 to actively scan bar coded or RFIDtags 250 from items 204 or the packaging/shipping cartons 202 in whichthe items 204 are shipped in. Additionally, RFID portals 212, 222, 224,226 may be used to passively scan RFID tags 250 from the items 204 asthe items 204 are passed through the RFID portals 212, 222, 224, 226. Inthis manner, the total number of items 204 at a site 209 may be talliedand added to the inventory tracked and accessed by computer program 150.Whenever an item 204 is used, the laboratory personnel 206 scan the item204 with the RFID reader 260 or the item 204 is passed through a portal,such as exit portal 288, indicating that the item 204 is being disposedof. Upon using the item and scanning it with an RFID reader 260 orpassing it through the exit portal 288, the item 204 is removed from theinventory that is tracked and accessed by computer program 150.

In this embodiment, if the inventory of a particular item 204 fallsbelow a predetermined number, the computer program 150 alerts thelaboratory personnel 206 that an item 204 needs to be ordered and apurchase order 236 needs to be generated. The laboratory personnel 206may manually generate a purchase order 236, the computer program 150 mayautomatically generate a purchase order 236 for approval by thelaboratory personnel 206, or the computer 150 automatically generatesand approves a purchase order 236.

Upon approval of the purchase order 236, the purchase order 236 is thentransmitted from the local computer 184 to the remote computer 182 inorder to communicate the purchase order 236 to a vendor. A vendor is amanufacturer or a distributor of item 204. The vendor preferablymaintains a vendor warehouse 208 which is at a remote location away fromthe site 209. The vendor warehouse 208 house items 204. Preferably, thevendor also maintain the remote computer 182 at a location which isremote from the site 209 and is preferably accessible by many sites 209through a network or networked environment 195, such as the Internet.

Upon receiving the purchase order 236, the remote computer 182 notifiespersonnel working for the vendor of the purchase order 236, andpreferably notifies personnel working within the vendor warehouse 208 ofthe purchase order 236. The personnel working for the vendor or withinthe vendor warehouse 208 searches for the ordered item 204 eithermanually or automatically using machinery.

Upon locating the ordered item 204, an advance shipping notice 240 isthen generated in response to the purchase order 236, either manually bythe personnel working for the vendor or automatically by another remotecomputer 232 located in the vendor warehouse 208, and then communicatedto the remote computer 182. Preferably, the advance shipping notice 240is generated upon locating and tagging the ordered and located item 204with an RFID tag 250. Preferably, the advance shipping notice 240indicates unique item information 252 about item 204, such as the item'sserial number 254, the item's lot number 256, manufacturing date,expiration date, recommended storage temperature, contents, ingredients,part numbers, and estimated shipping date. Preferably, the advanceshipping notice 240 indicates an estimated shipping date for the item204, an amount of items 204 being shipping, a weight of the items 204, atotal price for the items 204, a tracking number to track the item 204upon being shipped, and a unique order number or order identifier. Inone embodiment, the advance shipping notice 240 contains one of aglobally unique product identifier, a product description, and aglobally unique carton or overpack identifier, a lot number, amanufacturing date, a shipping date, a target delivery date, and amanufacturer name.

Upon generating the advance shipping notice 240, the advance shippingnotice 240 is then transmitted from the remote computer 232 to the localcomputer 184, preferably via the remote computer 182. Then the items 204which are being sent to the site 209, as indicated in the advanceshipping notice 240, are packed inside a shipping carton 201, andpreferably, inside a tagged shipping carton 202 having a RFID tag 250associated with the shipping carton 202. The RFID tag 250 associatedwith the shipping carton 202 may contain information detailing orlisting each item 204 located within the shipping carton 202, along withitem information 252 for each item 204 in the shipping carton 202.Preferably, each item 204 is also tagged with an RFID tag 250 containingitem information 252 for each item 204, forming a tagged item 205 whichincludes an RFID tag 250 affixed with an item 204.

Upon transmitting the advanced shipping notice 240 to the local computer184, the advanced shipping notice 240 is received on the local computer184 by the compute program 150. The local computer 184, and specificallythe computer program 150, then tracks and stores information within theadvanced shipping notice 240, such as unique item information 252, anestimated shipping date for the item 204, an amount of items 204 beingshipping, a weight of the items 204, a total price for the items 204, atracking number to track the item 204 upon being shipped, and a uniqueorder number or order identifier. The computer program 150 then maygenerate a reminder for the estimated shipping date, and an expectedinventory database for items 204 being shipped as indicated by theadvanced shipping notice 240, whereupon receipt of these items 204 atthe site 209, the items 204 may be checked off the expected inventorydatabase. In this manner, if an item 204 was not shipped or lost uponshipment, the computer program 150 may notify laboratory personnel 206of this condition using information in the advanced shipping notice 240in conjunction with the expected inventory database.

Upon transmitting the advanced shipping notice 240, the item 204 is thenpackaged in a tagged shipping carton 202 having an RFID tag 250, or anuntagged shipping carton 203 which does not have any RFID tags on it.The shipping carton 202 or 203 is then provided to a package deliveryservice, such as FedEx™ or UPS™, and then delivered to the site 209.While in transit, the location of the shipping carton 202 or 203 may betracked by the computer program 150 using a tracking number 204 providedin the advanced shipping notice 240. The computer program 150 can thenprovide the laboratory personnel 206 with an estimated date of deliveryfor the item 204. After items 204 begin to be received, they are checkedagainst the advance shipping notice 240 and the line items from thepurchase order 236 is closed. In this fashion, laboratory personnel 206can keep track of which items 204 are still awaiting shipment orarrival.

Upon delivery of the shipping carton 202 or 203 by the delivery serviceat the site 209, the item 204 is received at the site 209 associatedwith the delivery location. The item 204 is preferably tagged andtherefore includes an RFID tag 250. Preferably, the item 204 was taggedat the vendor's warehouse 208, however, if the item 204 is not taggedwith an RFID tag 250, an RFID tag 250 may be placed on the item 204 atthe site 209.

Preferably, upon receipt of the item 204 at the site 209, the item 204enters a receiving room 214. Site 209 includes RFID portals 212, 222,224, 226 having an embedded RFID antenna which receives signals havingitem information 252 transmitted by the RFID tag 250 on any tagged item205 as the tagged item 205 passes through the RFID portals 212, 222,224, 226. The RFID portals 212, 222, 224, 226 may be positioned atdoorways, entrances, or exits to any room within the site 209, atdoorways, entrances, or exits to the site 209, or at places near or ondoorways or openings for machinery such a refrigerators or laboratoryinstruments 270 within the site 209. Preferably, as item 204 enters thereceiving room 214, item 204 passes through a receiving room portal 222which scans the RFID tag 250 and retrieves item information 252 from thetag 250. The item information 252 is then transmitted by the portal 222to the computer program 150, whereby the inventory is updated by thecomputer program 150 to indicate that an additional item 240 has beenreceived at the site 209. If the item 204 does not have a tag 250, thenlaboratory personnel 206 may generate a tag 250 using an RFID printer228 and place the tag 250 on the item 204, and communicate iteminformation 252 on the generated tag 250 to the computer program 150,such as by scanning the generated tag 250 with an RFID reader 260,passing the tagged item 205 through an RFID portal 212, 222, 224, 226,or manually entering and communicating the item information 252 on thegenerated tag 250 to the computer program 150.

Upon receiving the item 204 at the receiving room 214, tagging the item204 to form a tagged item 205, and communicating item information 252 tothe computer program 150, the tagged item 205 either remains in thereceiving room 214 or the tagged item 205 is transferred to another areawithin the site 209, such as a storage room 216.

Storage room 216 may be a temperature-controlled or refrigerated storageroom 217 where the temperature is maintained within a specifictemperature range, or a non-temperature controlled or non-refrigeratedstorage room 218 where the temperature may fluctuate. Site 209 mayinclude RFID antennas 220 dispersed throughout the site 209 in order tolocate and preferably triangulate the signal generated by the RFID tag250 so as to provide item location information 262, on the tagged item205. Item location information 262 on the tagged item 205 may also beobtained via moving the tagged item 205 through RFID portals 212, 222,224, 226 at the entrance or exit of certain rooms or areas within thesite 209, in order to track and locate the tagged item 205.

When transferring the tagged item 205 from one part of the site 209 toanother part of the site 209, the tagged item 205 may pass through anyof the RFID portals 212, 222, 224, 226 located at an entryway of thesite 209 or at entryways within the site 209. The portals 212, 222, 224,226 retrieve item information 252 stored in the RFID tag 250 andtransmit the item information 252 to the local computer 184, andspecifically, the computer program 150.

At the local computer 184, the computer program 150 checks the iteminformation 252 against the advance shipping notice 240 and informationstored in an inventory database 230 connected with the computer program150 in order to verify that the tagged item 205 is the same as theordered item 204. Tagged items 205 which are the same as ordered items204, are of the same type, the same manufacture and/or the same modelnumber, and may also be of the same lot number and/or the samemanufacturing date. Items 204 of the same type are items which have thesame or similar composition but may be manufactured by differentmanufactures, such as with a generic versus a branded or non-genericproduct.

The inventory database 230 is connected with the computer program 150and includes information about the amounts of each item 204, or taggeditem 205, within the site 209. Preferably all items 204 in the site 209are tagged items 205. If the tagged item 205 is the same as the ordereditem 204, the tagged item 205 is preferably transferred to anotherlocation within the site 209, such as a long-term storage room 216 forstorage within the site 209. The long-term storage room 216 may be anon-refrigerated storage room 217 or a refrigerated storage room 218. Ifthe tagged item 205 is not the same as the ordered item 204, the taggeditem 205 is returned to the vendor, preferably by requesting from thevendor, via the computer program 150, a Return Merchandise Authorization(RMA).

If the tagged item 205 is transferred to the long-term storage room 216,the tagged item 205 preferably passes near an RFID antenna 222 or anRFID reader 260 during transfer to the long-term storage room 216.Preferably, before or upon entry into the long-term storage room 216,the tagged item 205 passes through a storage room portal 224 having anembedded RFID antenna which receives signals having item information 252transmitted by the RFID tag 250 on the tagged item 205. The iteminformation 252 is then transmitted, along with preferably item locationinformation 262, to the local computer 184 in order to track thelocation of the tagged item 205 within the site 209. Item locationinformation 262 is any information which can provide an estimate of thelocation of the tagged item 205 within the site. Item locationinformation 262 may be based on a signal strength of the signaltransmitted from the RFID tag 250, and may be determined by at least oneand preferably three RFID antennas 220. Item location information 262may also simply be the location of the antenna 220 nearest the taggeditem 205, or the location of the RFID portal 212, 222, 224, 226 throughwhich the tagged item 205 has just passed through. In this manner, byproviding item location information 262 to the local computer 184, andultimately to the computer program 150, the computer program 150 is ableto track the location of a tagged item 205 within the site 209.

The tagged item 205 may be transferred from the long-term storage room216 to: another location within the site 209 such as a laboratoryinstrument 270; an additional destination 280 outside the site 209; or adisposal unit 290 within or outside the site 209. As the tagged item 205is transferred, the tagged item 205 is passed near an RFID antenna 222or an RFID reader 260 during transfer. Preferably, the before or upontransfer, the tagged item 205 passes through one of the RFID portals212, 222, 224, 226 having an embedded RFID antenna which receivessignals having item information 252 transmitted by the RFID tag 250 onthe tagged item 205. The item information 252 is then transmitted, alongwith preferably item location information 262, to the local computer 184in order to track the location of the tagged item 205 within the site209 or to indicate that the tagged item 205 has left the site and goneto a disposal unit 290 or an additional destination 280. RFID antenna220, RFID readers 260, and RFID portals 212, 222, 224, 226 may be usedto track the tagged item 205's location through the site 209 or outsideof the side 209 and then transmit item information 252, along withpreferably item location information 262, to the local computer 184 inorder to track the location of the tagged item 205 within or outside ofthe site 209.

In one embodiment, tagged items 205 which are transferred from onelocation to another location are checked against available items 204 inorder to make a “best-pick” decision. A “best-pick” decision could be arecommendation by the computer program 150 to the laboratory personnel206 that the retrieved item 205 is not the ideal choice for use. Areason for a “best-pick” recommendation may ensure that the retrieveditem 205 is set to expire sooner than other tagged items 205 of asimilar type therefore ensuring a first-in first-out (FIFO) usage.Another reason for a “best-pick” recommendation could be because anotherlot number associated with the retrieved item 205 is in use. Many times,instruments 270 need to be calibrated to the specific lot of the test.In these cases, it would be beneficial to the laboratory personnel 206to continue using a single lot on an instrument 270 instead of switchingbetween lots in order to avoid unnecessary calibration procedures.Another criterion that could be used to determine a “best-pick” decisioncould be based on the status of a tagged item 205 (i.e., Quarantined,Recalled, Ready-for-Use, etc).

Preferably, each location, such as the receiving room 214, each storageroom 216, 217, 218, each instrument 270, each disposal unit 290, and anyadditional destination 280 has an RFID antenna 220, an RFID reader 260,and/or an RFID portal 212, 222, 224, 226 associated with the location inorder to determine where the tagged item 205 is located and to generateor provide item location information 262, to the local computer 184 andthe computer program 150 in order to track the location of the taggeditem 205 within or outside of the site 209. Preferably, if a tagged item205 is transferred to laboratory instrument 270 or disposal unit 290,item location information 262 is generated and transmitted to the localcomputer 184 and the computer program 150, where the tagged item 205 isthen decremented from the inventory database 230, which is preferablymaintained on the local computer 184 by the computer program 150 or ismaintain on any computer in communication with the computer program 150.

In one embodiment, the local computer 184, and preferably the computerprogram 150, monitors the inventory database 230 in order to determinehow many items 204 of a particular kind are in the site 209. Items 204of a particular kind are items 204 which share some trait, such as items204 which have the same manufacture, the same model number, same lotnumber, same manufacturing date, or are of the same type, such as whenboth are assays having the same or similar composition. If an amount ofitems 204 of a particular kind drops below a predetermined level, thecomputer program 150 may generate a purchase requisition 244 and displaythe purchase requisition 244 on a display in order to notify laboratorypersonnel 206 that a purchase order 236 needs to be generated for moreitems 204 of a particular kind. In one embodiment, the computerautomatically monitor all items 204 and/or tagged 205 by received iteminformation 252 stored on and transmitted by RFID tags 250 located ontagged items 205. Additionally, item information 252 may be manuallyentered by laboratory personnel 206 and communicated with computerprogram 150 and inventory database 230.

In one embodiment, the local computer 184, and specifically the computerprogram 150, monitors the inventory database 230 in order to determinehow many items 204 of a particular kind are in the site 209. A purchaserequisition 244 may be generated when an amount of items 204, andpreferably tagged items 204, of a particular kind drops below apredetermined level in order to notify laboratory personnel 206 that apurchase order 236 needs to be generated for more items 204 of aparticular kind. Upon generating the purchase requisition 244, thelaboratory personnel 206 then may decide to generate purchase order 236for more items 204 of a particular kind which then gets transmitted orcommunicated with the vendor, and specifically, the vendor warehouse 208and/or the remote computer 182.

In one embodiment, the laboratory instrument 270 monitors an amount of atagged item 205 of a particular kind, such as an amount of reagent. Whenthe amount of the tagged item 205 of a particular kind drops below apredetermined level, a replenishment list 242 is generated in order tonotify laboratory personnel 206 that additional tagged items of aparticular kind need to be delivered to the laboratory instrument 270.Preferably the replenishment list 242 is generated by the laboratoryinstrument 270 and then transmitted to the local computer 184, and thecomputer program 150. Upon receiving the replenishment list 242, thecomputer program 150 generates a notification displayed on the displaythat notifies laboratory personal 206 that additional tagged items of aparticular kind need to be delivered to the laboratory instrument 270.

With reference to FIG. 6, is a flowchart representation of a method 400for automated laboratory inventory management which preferably track anamount of items 204 within a site 209 along with other information aboutthe items 204, such as their location using item location information262. Method 400 is initiated at block 401 by launching computer program150 within a computer 100, such as local computer 184. Preferably,concurrent with the launching of computer program 150, laboratoryinventory management application 153 is also launched which preferablyresides as a program module 160 within the computer program 150.However, laboratory inventory management application 153 may be aseparate computer program 150 which is not embedded within anothercomputer program 150 or which is launched concurrently with anothercomputer program 150.

Moving to block 402, upon launching the computer program 150, if anamount of an item 204 of a particular kind drops below a predeterminedlevel, the computer program 150 may automatically generate a purchaserequisition 244 in order to notify laboratory personnel 206 that apurchase order 236 needs to be generated for more items 204 of aparticular kind. Preferably, before the item 204 is ordered or apurchase requisition is generated, a product catalogue 234 is receivedfrom a remote computer 182 at a vender's warehouse 208 detailing theitem 204 at block 403. Upon viewing the purchase requisition 244 anddeciding that a purchase order 236 needs to be generated for more items204 of a particular kind, a purchase order 236 is generated for the item204 using the local computer 184, wherein the purchase order 236specifies a delivery location. The purchase order 236 may be generatedautomatically by the computer program or manually by laboratorypersonnel 206. Upon generating the purchase order 236, the method 400moves to block 404 where the purchase order 236 is transmitted to theremote computer 182 in order to communicate the purchase order 236 to avendor. The remote computer 182 transmits the purchase order 236 toand/or notifies the vendor of the purchase order 236, whereupon thevendor locates any and/or all items 204 listed on the purchase order 236at block 406. Upon locating any and/or all items 204 listed on thepurchase order 236, the vendor receives confirmation of the availabilityof any and/or all items 204 listed on the purchase order 236 at block407.

Moving to block 408, upon locating any and/or all items 204 listed onthe purchase order 236, the vendor generates and transmits an advanceshipping notice 240 to the local computer 184 whereupon the localcomputer receives the advance shipping notice 240 for the ordered item204. Upon generating and transmitting the advance shipping notice 240,at block 410, the item 204 is shipped to the delivery location, which ispreferably the site 209 at which the purchase order 236 was generated.

Moving to block 412, the ordered item 204 is received at the deliverylocation and then at block 414 it is determined if the ordered item 204is tagged or not, that is, if the item 204 has an RFID tag 250 affixedto the item 204 or not. If the item 204 is tagged, it is considered atagged item 205, and then item information 252 is retrieved from thetagged item 205, and particularly, from the RFID tag 250 affixed to thetagged item 205. If the item 204 is not tagged, then the item 204 istagged at block 416 by affixing an RFID tag 250 to the item 204 and thenmoving back to block 414.

Upon retrieving item information 252 from the tagged item 205, themethod 400 moves to block 420 where it is verified that the tagged item205 is the same as the ordered item 204. If the tagged item 205 is notthe same as the ordered item 204, then at block 422 the tagged item 205is returned back to the manufacturer for the ordered item 205 and an RMAis requested, for example. If the tagged item 205 is the same as theordered item 204, then the method 400 moves to block 423, where thetagged item 205 is marked as received on the original purchase order 236and then the method moves to block 424 where the tagged item 205 istransferred to a location within the site 209.

Moving to block 426, the computer program 150 then monitors theinventory of tagged items 205 and untagged items 204, if any, along withthe location of all the items 204, 205 within the site 209. Preferably,all items 204 within the site are tagged items 205. The computer program150 periodically automatically receives item information 252 along withitem location information 262 from a tagged item 205 as the tagged item205 goes through an RFID portal 212, 222, 224, 226, nears an RFIDantenna 220, or is scanned by an RFID reader 260. Using the iteminformation 252 and the item location information 262, the computerprogram 150 is able to monitor the inventory of tagged items 205 alongwith the location of all the items 205 within the site 209. The iteminformation 252 and the item location information 262 may be manuallysent to the computer program 150 as well for untagged items 204 usinglaboratory personnel 206 who manually enter this information andtransmit it to the computer program 150.

Moving to block 428, upon receiving the item location information 262for a particular item 204, 205, the computer program 150 then determinesif the location of the particular item 204, 205 has changed. If thelocation has changes, then the location is updated in the inventorydatabase 230 at block 430, a “best pick” decision is made by thecomputer program and confirmed by the user at block 431 and then themethod moves back to block 426. If the location has not changed then themethod 400 goes back to block 426.

Moving to block 432, upon receiving the item information 252 for aparticular item 204, 205, the computer program 150 then determines ifthe any information about the particular item 204, 205 has changed andif so updates that information in the inventory database 230 and movesto block 431 where the computer program makes a “best pick” decisionwhich is then confirmed by the user. Additionally, if item information252 is no longer present for a particular item 204, 205, or if the itemlocation information 262 indicates that the item 204, 205 has beendisposed of such as by being in the disposal unit 290, or if a messageis transmitted to the computer program 150 from laboratory personnel 206or machinery within the site 209 such as laboratory instrument 270, thenthe computer program 150 updates the inventory or amount of theparticular kind of item 204, 205 which is left in the site 209. Movingto block 434, it is determined if the inventory or amount of theparticular kind of item 204, 205 falls below a predetermined level. Ifthe inventory or amount of the particular kind of item 204, 205 does notfall below a predetermined level, the method moves back to block 426, ifthe inventory or amount of the particular kind of item 204, 205 doesfalls below a predetermined level, then the method 400 moves to block402 wherein the computer program generates a purchase requisition 244and then a purchase order 236 is generated from the purchase requisition244.

Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are variousvehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologiesdescribed herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/orfirmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context inwhich the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies aredeployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed andaccuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardwareand/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, theimplementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet againalternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles bywhich the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies describedherein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to theother in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon thecontext in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns(e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any ofwhich may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that opticalaspects of implementations will typically employ optically-orientedhardware, software, and or firmware.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats.

However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects ofthe embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can beequivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computerprograms running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programsrunning on one or more computer systems), as one or more programsrunning on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs runningon one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually anycombination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing thecode for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill ofone of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subjectmatter described herein are capable of being distributed as a programproduct in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment ofthe subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particulartype of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out thedistribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are notlimited to, the following: a computer readable memory medium such as amagnetic medium like a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, and magnetictape; an optical medium like a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk(DVD), and a Blu-ray Disc; computer memory like random access memory(RAM), flash memory, and read only memory (ROM); and a transmission typemedium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium like afiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, and awireless communication link.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two componentsso associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by theappended claims. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restrictedexcept in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method for automated laboratory inventory management comprising:receiving on a local computer a product catalogue from a remote computerdetailing a laboratory item; generating a purchase order for thelaboratory item using the local computer, wherein the purchase orderspecifies a delivery location; transmitting the purchase order to theremote computer in order to communicate the purchase order to a vendor;receiving on the local computer an advance shipping notice generated inresponse to the purchase order; receiving a tagged item at a laboratoryassociated with the delivery location, wherein the tagged item includesan RFID tag; passing the tagged item through a receiving portal locatedat an entryway of the laboratory, wherein the receiving portal retrievesitem information stored in the RFID tag; and transmitting the iteminformation to the local computer; and checking the item informationagainst the advance shipping notice in order to verify that the taggeditem is the same as the ordered laboratory item.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein upon verifying that the tagged item is the same as theordered laboratory item, the tagged item is transferred to a long-termstorage room.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: passing thetagged item near an RFID antenna during transfer to the long-termstorage room; and transmitting the item information along with itemlocation information to the local computer in order to track the item'slocation within the laboratory.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: transferring the tagged item from the long-term storage roomto another location within the laboratory; passing the tagged item nearan RFID antenna during the transfer to another location; andtransmitting the item information along with updated item locationinformation to the local computer in order to track and update theitem's location within the laboratory.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe another location is one of an laboratory instrument, a disposalunit, or an additional destination outside of the laboratory.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising checking transferred tagged itemsagainst available items for a “best-pick” decision based on expiration,lot information, or item status of the transferred tagged item.
 7. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: transferring the tagged item fromthe long-term storage room to a disposal unit associated with thelaboratory; passing the tagged item near an RFID antenna associated withthe disposal unit during the transfer to the disposal unit; andtransmitting the item information along with updated item locationinformation to the local computer, wherein tagged items transferred tothe disposal unit are decremented from an inventory database maintainedon the local computer.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the localcomputer monitors an inventory database located on the local computer inorder to determine how many tagged items of a particular kind are in thelaboratory, and wherein a purchase requisition is generated when anamount of tagged items of a particular kind drops below a predeterminedlevel in order to notify laboratory personnel that a purchase orderneeds to be generated for more tagged items of a particular kind.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a laboratory instrument monitors an amount ofa tagged item of a particular kind, and wherein a replenishment list isgenerated when the amount of the tagged item of a particular kind dropsbelow a predetermined level in order to notify laboratory personnel thatadditional tagged items of a particular kind need to be delivered to thelaboratory instrument.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the advanceshipping notice contains one of a globally unique product identifier, aproduct description, and a globally unique carton or overpackidentifier, a lot number, a manufacturing date, a shipping date, atarget delivery date, and a manufacturer name.
 11. A computer readablememory medium comprising program instructions for graphically developinga connectivity driver, wherein the computer readable memory medium is anon-transitory medium, and wherein the program instructions areexecutable by a processor to: generate a purchase order for a laboratoryitem, wherein the purchase order specifies a delivery location; transmitthe purchase order to a remote computer in order to communicate thepurchase order to a vendor; receive an advance shipping notice generatedin response to the purchase order; receive item information stored in anRFID tag of a tagged item received at the delivery location; and checkthe item information against the advance shipping notice in order toverify that the tagged item is the same as the ordered laboratory item.12. The computer readable memory medium of claim 11 further comprisingprogram instructions executable by a processor to receive the iteminformation along with item location information in order to track theitem's location within the delivery location.
 13. The computer readablememory medium of claim 11 further comprising program instructionsexecutable by a processor to record a time each instance that the iteminformation along with item location information is received and totrack a total amount of time the tagged item is at a particularlocation.
 14. The computer readable memory medium of claim 11 furthercomprising program instructions executable by a processor to: monitor aninventory database in order to determine how many tagged items of aparticular kind are in the laboratory; and generate a purchaserequisition when an amount of tagged items of a particular kind dropsbelow a predetermined level in order to notify laboratory personnel thata purchase order needs to be generated for more tagged items of aparticular kind.
 15. The computer readable memory medium of claim 11further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to:monitor an amount of a tagged item of a particular kind used within alaboratory instrument; and generate a replenishment list when the amountof the tagged item of a particular kind drops below a predeterminedlevel in order to notify laboratory personnel that additional taggeditems of a particular kind need to be delivered to the laboratoryinstrument.
 16. A laboratory information management system formanagement of samples, laboratory users, standards and other laboratoryfunctions, comprising: a computer readable memory medium; and at leastone processor operable to access from the computer readable memorymedium program instructions executable by the processor to: monitor aninventory database in order to determine how many laboratory items of aparticular kind are in a laboratory, wherein at least some of thelaboratory items of a particular kind are tagged laboratory items havingan RFID tag; generate a purchase requisition when an amount oflaboratory items of a particular kind drops below a predetermined levelin order to notify laboratory personnel that a purchase order needs tobe generated for more laboratory items of a particular kind; generate apurchase order for more laboratory items of a particular kind; transmitthe purchase order to a remote computer in order to communicate thepurchase order to a vendor; receive an advance shipping notice generatedin response to the purchase order; receive item information stored in anRFID tag of a tagged item received at the delivery location; and checkthe item information against the advance shipping notice in order toverify that the tagged item is the same as the ordered laboratory item.17. The system of claim 16 wherein the processor is operable to accessfrom the computer readable memory medium program instructions executableby the processor to receive the item information along with itemlocation information in order to track the item's location within thedelivery location.
 18. The system of claim 16 wherein the processor isoperable to access from the computer readable memory medium programinstructions executable by the processor to record a time each instancethat the item information along with item location information isreceived and to track a total amount of time the tagged item is at aparticular location.
 19. The system of claim 16 wherein the processor isoperable to access from the computer readable memory medium programinstructions executable by the processor to: monitor an inventorydatabase in order to determine how many tagged items of a particularkind are in the laboratory; and generate a purchase requisition when anamount of tagged items of a particular kind drops below a predeterminedlevel in order to notify laboratory personnel that a purchase orderneeds to be generated for more tagged items of a particular kind. 20.The system of claim 16 wherein the processor is operable to access fromthe computer readable memory medium program instructions executable bythe processor to: monitor an amount of a tagged item of a particularkind used within a laboratory instrument; and generate a replenishmentlist when the amount of the tagged item of a particular kind drops belowa predetermined level in order to notify laboratory personnel thatadditional tagged items of a particular kind need to be delivered to thelaboratory instrument.